Automatically-operated bicycle-pump.



Patented Aug. 29, |899.

J. S. BUBB. AUTOMATICALLY UPERATED BICYCLE PUMP.

(Application led Oct. l, 1898.1

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No. 63u73. Patented Aug. 29, |399.

.1. s. BuBB. AUTOWIATICALLY UPERATED BICYCLE PUMP.

(Appuaeion med occ. 1, 189e.)

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No. 631,773. K Patented Aug. 29, |899.

J. s. Bue. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED BICYCLE PUMP.-

(Application filed Oct. 1, 18QB.\

l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

JOHN soOTT BUEB; or KITTANNING, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATICALLY-OPERATED BICYCLE-PUIVI P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631 ,'7'73, dated August 29, 1899.

Application filed October 1, 1898. Serial No. 692,396. (No model.) y

To (all whom, it may concern:

Be it'known that I, JOHN SCOTT BUBB, residing at Kittanning, in the county of Armstrong and'State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Automatically- Operated Bicycle-Pump, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bicycle-pumps connected to the bicycle-frame and adapted to be conveniently shifted into or out of an operative position by the rider while mounted on the machine; and in its general nature such invent-ion comprehendsa novel construction or pumping and distributing mechanism adapted to be disposed Within the frame-tubing and so arranged as to be operated by an eccentric of crank mechanism connected with either the drive-Wheel axle or the crank-axle.

In its subordinate features this invention consists in certain details of construction and peculiar combination of parts, all of which will be first described in detail and then specifically pointed out in the appended'claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which'- Figure l isa vertical section of the bicycleframe, showing my improvements applied, the drive and sprockets being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the crank-axle on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of one 0f the wheel-axles. Fig. 3L is a detail View of one of the axles and its attached parts. Fig. 3b is a detail view illustrating a modified arrangement of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig.' 4 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the several parts constituting such axle detached. Fig. 5 is a'detail View illustrating the funnel connections for joining the air or distributing pipes with the hollow axle. Fig. 6 is a side elevation, parts being in section, of a bicycle-frame having the pumping mechanism located in one of the horizontal frametubes and also illustrating a modified arrangement of distributing-pipes and rubber tubing-in the manner of connecting them to the hollow axles. Fig. 7 illustratesa further modification of my invention which will hereinafter be particularly referred to. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating another way in which to connect the pipes with the hollow axle. Fig. 9 is a detail of still another way of connecting the air-delivery pipe to the hollow axle. Fig. 10 is-a detail View illustrating one way of connecting the crank-axle with the pu mp-rod. Fig. 11 illustrates another form of clutch-shifting devices for throwing the pump mechanism into and out of an operative condition.

crank-axle at the will of the operator by suit? able clutch mechanistic-as, for example, such "as illustrated in Fig. 2,'by reference to which it will be seen that the sliding cuff member 7, which is normally held out of engagement with the eccentric 5 by a coil-spring 6, the said cuff member 7 being locked on the axle to .turn therewith by apin 8, it having alimited longitudinal movement on the axle by reason of its slot 7 in which the pin 8 plays. The face ot' the cuff 7 adjacent the eccentric 5 has one or more recesses 70, adapted to cngage with pins 'projected laterally from the eccentric when the culic is movedto the clutching position." 9 indicates a collar reciprocally slidable'on the axle 1 by means of an operating-rod 10, movable within the seat-tube 11, slidable in suitable guides 11, held therein, and having at the outer end an angle or grip member 10, which projects through an elongated opening 1lb on the said tube and arranged within convenient reach of the'rider, so thatv he can readily pull or push the rod 10 to adjust the clutch devices as desired. The lower end of the rod carries a pair of opposing beveled lugs 12 and 12, adapted to engage with cut-out portions of the collar. 9, so that the movement of the rod 10 in one direction will slide the collar to force the cul inward against .the spring and inthe other direction move the collar back to allow the spring to throw the clutch-cuff out of gear with the eccentric. By providing a clutch mechanism capable of operating and being IOO operated as described it is obvious the rider can set the eccentric in and out of gear at will without dismounting.

13 indicates the pump, which maybe of any approved construction. This pump is located in the tube 11 and has its piston 13 pivotally connected to the end 14 of the eccentric band or strap 14, which may be engaged with the smooth or grooved periphery on the eccentric.

15 indicates the main distributing-pipe, which extends from the pump-discharge up to the joint of the seat-tube of the top horizontal tube 16 and the rear tube-section 17, which has at such point a T-coupling 18, with which connect the rear distributing-pipe 19 and the front-wheel feed-pipe 20, having a rubber tube portion 20. The rear pipe 19 extends down into one of the back forks or tubesections-in practice to a point near the axleand connects with av flexible section 2l, in turn joined with the upper end of the tube 22, the lower end of which carries a male funnel-section 23, having a closure-cap 24. The section 23 is adapted to engage a female funnel-section 25, which communicates with the hollow axle 2 of the rear wheel, the peculiar construction of such axle being best illustra-ted in Figs. 3, 3, and 3, as will be presently explained. The funnel-section 23 is normally held down for an air-tight connection with the funnel-section 25 by the spring 26, disposed about the tube 22 and held to engage a fixed cross member 27 of the frame, and the collar 27, xedly held on the tube 22.

To more clearly illustrate my invention, I

have shown the members 22, 26, 27, and 24v disposed on the outside of the rear fork, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, yet I desire it understood that in practice such parts may be inclosed entirely within the tubular member of the frame. The closure-cap 24 serves to keep the dust and dirt from entering.,r the funnel-sections.

The pipe 2O extends forward into the hollow head-post and connects with a hollow flexible rubber tube portion 20, which passes down through the hollow frame to where the post goes through the crown-head of the fork, where it connects with the fork and from whence it passes down on the inside of one of the forks 20 and connects with the front axle through the male and female connections constructed and operated like the rearaxle connections before referred to.

As the funnel air connections are alike for both axles, adescription of one will suffice for both.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3, 3, and 3b, it will be observed that the axle 2 is made hollow at one end and formed with an air-receiving inlet :r and an' `outlet y, which discharges centrally of the axle into what I term an air-chamber Z, which is formed by a division portion attached to and forming a part of the hub'axle, as will be presently described.

In the practical adj ustmcnt of the axle and the hub the hub is formed of a pair of integral or fixedly-held internally-threaded annular collars 32 32, which extend inward about in a plane with the inner wall of the ball-capbearing flanges 33, such collars 32 32 being spaced `on each side of the center of the hub, as shown. In joining the'axle with the hub a disk 32b is screwed into the collar 32, which collar 32, together with the disk 32b and the ring 40 on the axle, forms one wall of the airchamber Z when the parts are connected as shown in Fig. 3. Before the axle is fitted in its hub it is provided with a fixedly-held ring 40, against which, on the hollow-end side of l -32b 32b with stop-flanges to engage the axledisk 40 40, as shown in Fig. 3, they may be made without such stop-flanges, as shown in Fig. 3b, as the washers 34 35 may be of sufficient diameter to be forced 'against the disks 32 32 to make a proper air-tight connection. The air-chamber Z communicates, through the tube 42, will] the pneumatic tire 43, and such tube 42 screws up into the hub and down into the threaded orifice of the tire air-tube connections at the top and bottom, as shown. Instead of providing a separate air-tube for connecting the tire and the hollow axle it is obvious that one of the wheel-spokes might be made hollow and used for such purpose. When using the funnel connections, the female funnel `section has an air-tight joint with the axle.

.43 indicates a valve in pipe 19, and 45 a similar Valve in pipe 20.

So far as described the operation of my invention is best explained as follows: Assuming the valve 45*L to be closed and the Valve 43 in pipe 19 open and the operator desiring to inflate the rear-wheel tire, the rider by pushing the rod 10 down moves the clutch mechanism into alocked engagement with the eccentric, which causes the eccentric to operate and in consequence set the pump in motion. The air is then forced through the main distributing-pipe into the pipe 19 and through the hollow axle and the connecting-tube and spoke into the rear-wheel' tire, the pump being kept in motion sufficiently long to inflate the tire to the density desired. Should the rider desire to inflate the front wheel, the valve 43 is closed and the valve 45 opened. When th us adj usted, the air will iiow through the pipe 2O and the rubber tube 20 and into one of the front forks and axle and from th ence through its radial tube or spoke to the IOO IIC

front tire. As soon as the tires areiniated to the density desired the rider shifts the rod 10 in a reverse direction to admit the clutch automatically moving to a released position and drop, throwing the eccentric out of gear.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a somewhatmodiiied form of my invention, in which the pump is located within one of the horizontal tube-sections of the bicycle-frame, the eccentric in this case being mounted on the crankaxle adjacent the inner face of the large or treadle drive-gear, said eccentric being connected to the pump with the usual pivotal piston-rod connections. In this form, as also in the other form described, the pump is provided with a blow-off valve to allow the escape of air when the pressure becomes too high. The main distributing-pipe has its rearwheel portion 19a and its front-wheel portion 20b also provided with cut-off valves 19b and 20. In this construction the discharge ends of pipes 19 and 20 have exible portions 5l, which connect with short tube connections 52, in turn connected with the outer end of the hollow axles by the union-nuts 53a. In this construction the hollow axles are connected with the tires by the radial tubes, the

same as in the other construction"hereinbe-' WhileI have not shown it fore referred to. in the drawings, it is obvious in practice the crank-axle shaft is also provided with clutch mechanism similar to that described for the construction shown in Fig. 1, which is operated by the handle and the rod 10 the same as in the other form, the operation of thisV modified arrangement of my invention being precisely similar to that hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a still further mcdilivmodified arrangement of my invention, particularly referring to the means for connecting the discharge endof the air-distributing pipes to the hollow axle. tion the distributing-pipe 53, which passes through `the crown of the front forks, extends down within one of the side forks and near the lower end, which extends outward and terminates into a threaded neck,which is joined with the hollow axle by an air-tube section SS, which screws up in the neck S9 and down into the threaded orifice 90 of the hollow axle. By providing this form of connection when desired the operator can take the wheel off by screwing the tube S8 up into the portion S9 until its lower end disengages the axle.

From the foregoing description, taken in In this construcconnection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the operation and advantages of myinvention will be readily understood.

While I have described in detail the peculiar construction of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings to make my invention fully understood, yet it is obviovs that such details of construction maybe modified and varied without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the air may be carried by means of a tube within the frame-fork connected directly with the axle, as shown in Fig. 9, or, if desired, the frametnbing may be used as a means for .distributing the air to the axles by providing the same with suitable stop-offs or diaphragms at each side of the pump-chamber.

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated one form of connection for joining the pump-rod with the crank-axle. Referring to such figure, 91 indicates the crank-axle; 92 the pitman-.rod, which drives the piston. This rod has a sliding head 94 working in the movable slide 93, which in practice is suitably mounted on a frame and has a handle 102 extended up within convenient reach of the rider, whereby said slide can be moved up or down for the purpose presently explained. As the piston-rod in this construction is provided with expansible clutch portions 97, having ball-seats 101, which are adapted to be moved into a tight frictional contact with the ball 96 on the end of the rod 92, the clamping of the piston-rod members of the said pump being effected by reason of the lower end of such piston-rod members 97 being so arranged as to be engaged by the slide 93 and moved to a gripping position when the said slide is pulled upward and adapted to spring apart to a release position when the said slide is pushed down. By providing this form of pump-rod connection it is obvious the rider can throw the pump into or ont of operative condition, as maybe desired, such construction of parts forming a practical substitute clutch mechanism heretofore described and illustrated in Fig. 2.

Instead of operating the pump-shifting mechanism by lever devices held adjacent the driversseat the same may be operated by devices held on the handle-bars comprising suitable bell-crank-lever mechanisms oper ated to shift the pitman-rod, joined with the clutch devices by a direct hand manipulation and returned to the normal position by suitable spring mechanism, one form of such devices being illustrated in Fig. 11.

To properly center the washers 34 34 and 35 35n and the spring 36, I provide pins which project from the inside on the axle of the airchamber Z from the collars 32, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 3, said pins passing through apertures in the 'aforesaid washers and within the spring 30. By providing the projecting pins it is obvious the washers and the spring will be heldlfrom tight frictional I OO contact with ythe axle and be practically free therefrom.

To keep the eccentric from touching the crank-axle, it may be mounted on a suitablyarranged cu member, as shown inFig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, What l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A bicycle-pump mechanism, comprising in combination with the frame, a pump operatively connected With a movable part of the Wheel-frame a Wheel-axle bearinghaving an air-collectin g space; the crank-axle having an outlet-port communicating With the said air-space; valved lead-pipes carried on the frame and discharging into the tires, said leads having air-tight joint connections with the crank-axle outlet-port, substantially as shown and described. v

2. The combination with the wheel, the inatable tire therefor and the Wheel-axle having an air inlet and outlet, said outlet having connections with the iniiatable tire; the pump havingoperatin g means adapted to be thrown into gear with a movable part of the machine, said pump having air-distributing pipes, rubber tubes, and the detachable pipe-section joining said pipes and rubber tubes, and the air-inlet of the Wheel-axle.

3. The combination with the bycicle-frame, including the inflatable tires and wheel-axles, having air'inlets and outlets, the outlets being connected with the inliatable tires; 0f a' pump carried on the Wheel-frame having operating-gearing adapted to'be thrown in' and out of mesh with the drive'mcchanism of the machine; air-distributing pipes and rubber tubes connecting the pipe and the air-inlets of the axle, said distributing-pipes including iexible end portions and detachable connections for joining said end portions With the air-inlets of the axle.

4. The combination with the machine-frame, the Wheels, the pneumatic tires thereon and the hollow axles, said axles having air inlets and outlets, and thev connections joining the outlets of the axles with the pneumatic tire; of a pump carried on the frame having its piston-rod. geared with the crank-axle of the machine; said pump having distributing-pipes 19 20, the ends of said pipes having iiexible portions; the hollow inlet having a female funnel member; the flexible ends of the distributing-pipes having male funnel members and means for holding the two funnel members in air-tight connection, substantially as shown and described.

5. In abicycle-pump mechanism of the character described; the combination with the Wheels having in flatable tires, and axles having air inlets and outlets, the outlets having communication with the tire; of a pump having distributing-pipes Whose terminals conneet with the inlets of the axles; and an eccentric mounted on the crank-axle connected to the pump, said eccentric being loosely mounted on said crank-axle; a sliding clutch mechanism for locking the eccentric to the crank-axle, said mechanism including a reciprocally-movable collar 9, having anotched Way, and a reciprocating rod 10, having op-i positely-projecting lugs 12 12, engaging the notched Way of the collar 9, all beingarranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

6. In a bicycle-pump mechanism ofthe character described, the combination with the pump; the operating mechanism therefor, and the distributing-pipes; of the Wheel-axle comprising a spindle-casing having solid inside portions 32n 32"; Washers 31 34a and 35 35; an interposed spring 36; detachable disks 32b 32h, said spindle having an air-channel discharging into the axle-casing and having its inlet connected with the terminal of the airdistributing pipe, said axle-casing having a discharge communicating with the tire, all being arranged substantially as shown and described.

7. In an improved bicycle mechanism of the character described; the combination with the air-pumping mechanism carried on the axle, including a distributing-pipe adapted to be connected to the axle; of the axle comprising a spindle having a hollowr portion communicating at one end With the distributing-pipe and discharging into an air-collecting space Within the hub, saidv space having communication with the tire; the head portion having internally-threaded annular collars; disks 32" and 32h, detachably fitted in such collars; the axle having disk members 40 40, adapted to engage the disks 32b 32"; Washers 35 35L and 34 34:, iitted on the spindle; and an interposed spring 36, all being arranged substantiallyas shown and for the purposes described.

JOHN SCOTT BUBB. lVitnesses:

W. F. STITT, SAML. DONALDSON.

IOO 

